Last month, the California Department of Public Health released their annual Hospital Infection Report. The report found that in 2014 there were over 19,000 healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) reported in 392 acute-care facilities.

Overall the report shows progress in California’s hospitals, but improvements are still needed. One cause of infections that has been an ongoing challenge for many facilities is Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff, CDI and C. difficile. It is a type of bacteria that may develop in patients due to the prolonged use of antibiotics during healthcare treatment.

C. diff infections cause diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis. It is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections and has been increasingly identified as a community-acquired infection. Antibiotic treatment of C. diff infections can be difficult, due both to antibiotic resistance as well as physiological factors of the bacteria itself. These include spore formation and the protective effects of its pseudomembrane.

“C. diff is shed in feces so any surface, device or material that becomes contaminated may serve as a reservoir for the pathogen,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc. “It can be transferred to patients via the hands of healthcare personnel who have touched a contaminated surface or item or by the patients coming in contact with contaminated surfaces.”

Helping hospitals fight the spread of C. diff is LA Testing. The company offers surface testing for a wide range of pathogens that cause HAIs. These services can help prevent the spread of disease, verify surface disinfection procedures and help to pinpoint the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.

LA Testing has also sponsored a three-part video series about healthcare-associated infections that can be seen at:

Part 1 http://youtu.be/FwO9oUFFIps

Part 2 http://youtu.be/UaOGwK35Stk

Part 3 http://youtu.be/DLQX2f2niFk

To learn more about testing for C. diff or other environmental pathogens in hospitals and healthcare environments, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other substances. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.